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Agricultural Reviews
Year : 2010, Volume : 31, Issue : 2
First page : ( 145) Last page : ( 149)
Print ISSN : 0253-1496.

Effect of Plastic Mulch on Soil Properties and Crop Growth - A Review

Lalitha M., Thilagam V. Kasthuri, Balakrishnan N., Mansour Mostafa

Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemsitry, Tamil Nadu Agric. Univercity, Coimbatore - 641 003, India.

Abstract

The term plasticulture is defined as the use of plastics in agriculture. The use of plasticulture in the production of crops helps to mitigate the extreme fluctuations in weather, especially temperature, rainfall and wind. Indian agriculture is known for its multi-functionalities of providing employment, livelihood, food, nutritional and ecological securities. So the adoption of modern technology to overcome natural constraints to successful agriculture with limited water resourcesis essential In this context, mulching may prove beneficial for crop growth because of complex change in soil environment through modifying soil temperature, reduction in evaporation, weed competition, soil compaction and erosion. Plastic mulch is a product used, in a similar fashion to mulch, to suppress weeds and conserve water in crop production. Under plastic mulch, soil properties like soil temperature, moisture content, bulk density, aggregate stability and nutrient availability have been improved. Plant growth and yield also positively influenced by the plastic mulch due to the modification of soil microclimate.

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Key words

Mulch, Plastic mulch, Soil properties, Corp growth.

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